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You may have heard that there is a new refrigerant entering the market for all HVAC equipment. Some news reports make it sound scary, while others make it sound like the best thing ever. We’re going to hit the highpoints and discuss the best time to consider replacing your equipment.
First, some definitions. Refrigerant is the fluid that runs in the copper lines that connect your indoor coil (or air handler) to the outdoor condensing unit. This fluid switches back and forth between a liquid (the smaller line) and a vapor (the larger line) as it moves heat out of your home during AC operation and heat into your home during heat pump operation.
In late, 2020, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act authorized the EPA to phase down the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Accordingly, HVAC manufacturers are transitioning to low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants for all new residential and commercial ducted HVAC systems manufactured as of Jan 1, 2025, and installed as of Jan 1, 2026. That said, many HVAC manufacturers are moving to equipment using the new refrigerant a little sooner – i.e. the fall of 2024.
A refrigerant called R454B has emerged as the most popular substitute for the commonly used R410A (though some manufacturers have chosen R32). For reference, if your system was built in 2010 or newer, it likely uses R410A refrigerant, which was itself a replacement for an older refrigerant called, R-22.
What is there to know about R454B. First, it’s not really new. This refrigerant has been used in Europe and in large commercial units for years. Performance-wise, R410A and R454B are very similar.
Next, as has been widely reported, R454B is a propane-based refrigerant. That means it is flammable, but only slightly so. In fact, to get it to burn, you have to put a flame directly on it and keep it there. So, not a real drawback…
Another consideration, R454B is NOT compatible with other refrigerants. In particular, this impacts replacement installations. Oftentimes, getting to the existing refrigerant tubing is challenging. It can be tucked into a wall, drywalled over, or worse.
With R410A equipment, we are often able to flush and reuse the refrigerant tubing – no matter if it previously used R22 or R410. Thus, changing to new R410A equipment is pretty straightforward. BUT, with new R454B equipment, we will ALWAYS need to change out the refrigerant tubing. Replacing the tubing (or line set as it is called) can cost an addition $400 to $1000 or more depending on the house.
Next, R454B equipment itself is expected to cost more. In addition to simply being new, the new laws require some monitoring devices on the equipment that raise the wholesale cost by 10-20%. When this cost reaches the homeowner, I expect new equipment to cost about $500-$1500 more. Add that to the cost for new refrigerant tubing, and you could expect an additional cost of $1000-$2500.
Of course, time will tell where all this shakes out, but these changes mean now may be a good time to replace your equipment – especially if it is approaching it’s useful life which for an AC or heat pump system is about 15 years.
A potential drawback of keeping your old equipment is the cost of R410A which is expected to increase over the next 10-20 years. That may happen… or it may not. But for most homeowners, it is irrelevant. Unless there is a fault in your system, it should never consume refrigerant. Really, if you need to recharge your system by adding refrigerant, that is an indication there is a leak that needs to be fixed.
So, there you have it. A new refrigerant is on the horizon. And while it’s not scary, equipment will cost more which means now may be a good time to consider replacement.
